Geoff Schwartz eager to settle in with Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD – The three-month whirlwind that turned Geoff Schwartz into a Giant and a Bergen County resident began in a matter of 30 seconds.

That's how long the Giants waited beyond the time at which they could reach out to representatives of Schwartz, one of the most coveted offensive linemen available when the market opened in March.

The phone call came just a few hours before Schwartz wed Meridith Snipes, and the couple bypassed a honeymoon so that he could finalize his football future.

For the third consecutive winter, Schwartz was a free agent, although this was different.

He was on a plane to New Jersey within 48 hours, his signature soon on a four-year contract worth a maximum of $16.8 million, and the Giants had their new starting left guard — a cornerstone in a much-needed reconstruction project up front.

Fast forward to Monday and Schwartz spent much of the afternoon waiting for his television and Internet providers to show up for installation at his new Paramus home before taking a nap – well, resting — on the house's only piece of furniture: a dog bed.

"I've had a lot of obstacles to get to where I am right now, yet everything feels so right," Schwartz said last week in advance of the Giants' three-day mandatory minicamp, which begins today at the team's facility. "Being on one-year deals, you try to be part of the community, but in the back of your mind, you know as soon as the season's over, you're leaving. So it's nice to be able to know that I'm here for at least part of my contract.

"You never know for sure in this league, but to know that I can be part of this community and part of this team, it's a real good feeling. When you come to a city and an area like this, you definitely want to be part of it."

Schwartz, 27, was injured and not tendered a contract in Carolina two years ago.

He signed with Minnesota, but did not emerge as a viable starter until last season when he landed in Kansas City, which he helped lead to the playoffs. Despite speculation that the Chiefs would pay to bring Schwartz back, they did not make a strong push while the Giants made him a priority.

The Giants zeroed in on their offensive line following the disappointing 2013 campaign during which they finished 7-9 and out of the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.

"Get better every day," Schwartz said. "I mean, if you don't have pads on, there's only so much you can do. I see us getting better every day, and it's really more mentally — mentally we know what we're doing every day. It's a little smoother every day."

Schwartz's life won't be slowing down from its dizzying pace between now and training camp, which begins July 21, as Snipes is expecting their first child next month (a son).

He has been traveling back and forth to North Carolina to be with his wife on the weekends. The plan is for the rest of the family to join Schwartz here in their new home by August, when the football part of his world kicks back into high gear.

"You've got to go through practice a little bit to kinda prove you know what you're doing, even though you signed a contract," Schwartz said. "I know I can play, but I've got to prove to everyone else I can do it. Then you get more respect that way."

BRIEF: The Giants signed third-round pick Jay Bromley, meaning all seven picks in their 2014 draft class are under contract heading into minicamp. The team also announced the signing of free-agent linebacker Terrell Manning.